Post by : Shakul

Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has issued a public warning against misleading information circulating online regarding a national identity card allegedly linked to a man named Cheng Zhaowu. The viral claim suggested that the identity card holder had been personally approved by the 38th former Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, sparking confusion and debate across social media platforms.

The clarification was announced by Wethang Puangsap, spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, who shared the latest findings from Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Center. Authorities stated that the claim had been verified and categorized as misleading information rather than factual news. Officials emphasized the growing importance of public awareness in combating online misinformation and technology-related crimes.

According to the ministry, the name and signature appearing on the identity card belong to the Director-General who was serving during that specific period. However, officials explained that the same name and signature automatically appear on all national identity cards issued during that time and do not indicate direct approval for individual applicants.

Authorities clarified that the process of verifying and issuing Thai national identity cards is handled by officers at district offices, sub-district offices, and municipal offices. These officials are responsible for personally checking documents, identities, and related information before issuing any official card. If irregularities occur, investigations are conducted at the local administrative level rather than involving the Director-General directly.

The Anti-Fake News Center also released broader statistics showing the scale of misinformation spreading online in Thailand. As of May 26, 2026, officials had monitored more than 160,000 online messages, with over 4,400 reports requiring verification. Most reports were detected through social listening systems, while additional complaints were submitted through official Line and Facebook channels.

Several fake and misleading stories attracted widespread public attention in recent days, including false claims involving Thai military operations, Cambodian labor issues, banking fraud alerts, and infrastructure problems. Authorities warned that the rapid spread of unverified information can create public panic, misunderstandings, and risks related to personal data and financial security.

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society urged citizens to rely only on verified information issued by official agencies before sharing news online. Officials also encouraged the public to carefully check website links, sources, and facts in order to prevent the spread of misinformation that could negatively affect society on a larger scale.

#Thailand News #Cybersecurity #World News #Government